How to Conduct a Successful Monkey Socialization

Video of How to Conduct a Successful Monkey Socialization:

Safety

     First gather the necessary safety equipment. For this socialization between a marmoset and a tamarin, we have prepared ourselves with the following materials:

Runway Fork:

     These "forks" can be slid and locked into place in the runway. If a fight breaks out between the two monkeys while they are in the runway, we can slide a fork between them and use a second fork to create more space between the fighting monkeys.

Water:

     If the two monkeys are fighting in the habitat, where we cannot separate them using forks, a safe deterrent would be water. Some monkeys are afraid of being sprayed with water, while others play in it! The goal is to get the monkeys to stop fighting so they can be safely separated. This can sometimes require entering the habitat and separating the monkeys physically. 

Kevlar Gloves:

   

     We have Kevlar Gloves that provide some protection from bites. These are for safety of the wearer when it is necessary to pull the monkeys apart and end a fight. If a fight broke out within the habitat and the monkeys did not respond to water or other distractions, the supervisor would put on the gloves, enter the habitat, separate the two monkeys as safely as possible, and place one monkey in a runway. Another supervisor would then place forks in the runway as a barrier between the two monkeys.

Before the Socialization:

     Before two monkeys are socialized, there is much evidence that needs to be collected. The monkeys should initially only be given visual and auditory access to one another. If the two monkeys appear to get along from a distance, shorten the distance between them little by little over time until they are able to touch and groom each other without having full access to one another. If the two monkeys are seen interactin with one another in a positive way,  such as staying near each other or grooming through the barrier (in our case a "runway fork"), final preparations such as collecting safety equipment can be conducted.

     In the case of Willy the Golden Handed Tamarin and Arie the Black Tufted-ear Marmoset, there was much positive evidence to support a successful socialization. In fact, the two males had been housed and living together before their time at Jungle Friends (see more of their history here). When the distance between them was finally reduced down to one fork, they were routinely seen spending time near one another and Willy even groomed Arie through the fork! These positive signs were put to the test on day one of the socialization.

The First Day:

    On June 23rd, once the fork was pulled for the first time during this socialization, the boys immediately traded habitats and scent marked different areas. After about an hour of ignoring each other and being more enthralled with the new living space, the boys were separated until the next day. (More information about Day 1 here)

The Following Days:

     Days 2-9 of the socialization showed more positive signs, pointing towards successful permanent socialization in Arie and Willy's future. Each day, the amount of socialization time was increased. The only negative issues seen were that Willy may have tried to establish dominance by mounting Arie, and the approach of bad weather also caused stress between the two monkeys. Despite these instances (neither leading to a fight), the socialization continued and resulted in many positive sightings. The boys routinely groomed each other, spent the majority of their time together, and became accustomed to eating from the same food bowl. (More information and pictures here)

Final Day of the Socialization:

    On day 10 of the socialization, the fork between Arie and Willy was pulled for the last time! As with the previous days, the two males were supervised (from a distance) at all times. Around 7:30 P.M. they settled down in separate habitats.They were left unsupervised overnight and checked on the next day a little after 6:00 A.M. They were still in the same spots, and there were no signs of any fights overnight. The socialization was deemed successful!

Checking on the New Couple:

     Over the next few weeks, the boys were checked on periodically. They were checked on overnight on three separate occasions. On two of those nights the boys were even found sleeping in the same indoor habitat! Ever since their socialization began, no fights have occurred. This is great news because at Jungle Friends, the bond between these two monkeys will never be broken because of humans! 

    Now that Arie and Willy have been successfully socialized, they will be checked on daily just as the other monkeys here at Jungle Friends. They currently live in two connecting habitats, but will eventually be living in a single habitat when more monkeys arrive at Jungle Friends!